Hypercobalaminaemia is associated with hepatic and neoplastic disease in cats: a cross sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundWhen increased serum cobalamin concentrations are encountered clinically they are usually attributed to parenteral supplementation, dietary factors, or otherwise ignored. However, recently, hypercobalaminaemia has been associated with numerous diseases in humans, most notably neoplastic and hepatic disorders. The aim of this retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study was to determine the significance of increased cobalamin in cats.ResultsIn total, 237 records were retrieved and 174 cats, of various ages and sexes met the inclusion criteria. A total of 42 cats had increased serum cobalamin concentration, and had not received prior supplementation. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that increased serum cobalamin concentration was positively related to pedigree breed (pedigree breeds more likely to have increased cobalamin concentration, odds ratio [OR] 4.24, 95% CI 1.78-10.15, P = 0.001), to having liver disease (OR 9.91, 95% CI 3.54-27.68), and to having a solid neoplasm (OR 8.54, 95% CI 1.10-66.45).ConclusionsThe results of the current study suggest that increased serum cobalamin concentrations should not be ignored in cats with no history of supplementation, and investigation for underlying hepatic or neoplastic disease is warranted.

Review of cobalamin status and disorders of cobalamin metabolism in dogs

“…These hypercobalaminemic dogs had mostly (73%) signs of chronic GI disease, and a neoplastic condition could not be definitively excluded in 82% of the dogs. These findings suggest that hypercobalaminemia is less frequently observed in dogs than in cats, in which a prevalence of 14% (28 of 202 cats) was observed in the study above (unpublished data), and that hypercobalaminemia might be of clinical relevance in dogs that have not received supplemental cobalamin. A higher prevalence (36%) of hypercobalaminemia is reported (Bertolani C, Tabar MD, Esparza A, et al Hypercobalaminemia in 144 samples from cats and dogs.…”

“…However, recent data in people suggest that hypercobalaminemia is an underestimated finding that can reflect a number of serious underlying diseases such as solid neoplasms, hematological and other malignancies, and hepatic or renal diseases . Abnormally high serum cobalamin concentrations occur in cats with hepatic and neoplastic diseases . A retrospective analysis of the medical records and data from 592 dogs that were presented for further diagnostic workup at the University of Leipzig Small Animal Clinic showed that 2% (n = 11) of all dogs in which serum cobalamin status was determined and that did not receive any supplemental cobalamin (n=487 dogs) had a serum cobalamin concentration above RI, ranging from 1,100‐3,561 ng/L (median: 1,334 ng/L) (unpublished data).…”

Cholangitis der Katze – Diagnostisches Vorgehen und Therapiemöglichkeiten

“…Im Zuge der Anorexie findet sich mitunter eine prärenale Azotämie (Dehydratation). Häufig ist auch der Serum-Cobalamin-Spiegel (Vitamin B 12 ) suboptimal, aber auch eine Hypercobalaminämie ist möglich [6]. Da Cholangitiden bei der Katze auch mit einer Pankreatitis, einer IBD oder beiden (feline Triaditis) auftreten können, empfiehlt sich weiterhin die Bestimmung der felinen spezifischen Pankreaslipase (Spec fPL) sowie des Folsäure-(Vitamin B 9 ) und Cobalamin-Spiegels (Vitamin B 12 ) im Serum.…”

Explanation and Elaboration Document for the STROBE‐Vet Statement: Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology—Veterinary Extension

“…Of these, 237 records were identified after the database search, and 174 cases met the eligibility criteria.85 …”

“…A record of prior cobalamin supplementation (within the three months before presentation) was identified in 18 cases (16 with serum cobalamin greater than the reference interval, 1 with cobalamin within the reference interval and 1 with cobalamin below the reference interval).85 …”